The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) set free here Friday Omar Al-Ghul - advisor to Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyadh. Al-Ghul, a columnist of the pro-Fatah newspaper Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, had been held by Hamas in Gaza for 49 days.Emerging from Hamas-run prison here, Al-Ghul said the Palestinian national dialogue could be a success only if Hamas accepted the conditions of President Mahmoud Abbas. The movement must give up its military control over Gaza Strip, Al-Ghul told reporters.
He asserted that he was kidnapped while "defending democracy and legitimacy. "The kidnap infringed on the political order and democracy in the Palestinian territories. The act aimed to send a message of intimidation to other Palestinian official who intended to go to Gaza Strip," he underscored.
Al-Ghul accused Hamas of maltreating and torturing him especially in the early days of his capture.
Al-Ghul and Gaza bureau chief of the newspaper Munir Abu Rizq, were captured one day after their arrival in the strip from the West Bank city of Ramallah. Abu-Rizq is still in Hamas captivity.
Al-Ghul's release is the fruit of intensive mediation efforts made by Palestinian public figures and other factions.